12 Nov 2012

Making a Beautiful Difference in Iowa - Women of Worth

By Rick Martin

I would like to introduce you to two women who are making a beautiful difference in Iowa...

Dr. Ida Johnson of Davenport, IA is the Founder of United Neighbors, Inc., an organization that helps others help themselves while building self-worth, and includes youth, education, housing, financial literacy and multicultural healthcare programs.  Sarah Cronk of Bettendorf, IA is the Founder of The Sparkle Effect, a student-run program that empowers teens nationwide to include students with disabilities in school-based cheerleading and dance programs.

Ida and Sarah are two of ten women chosen out of thousands of nominations to become Women of Worth honorees. The amazing Women of Worth program, which honors women making a difference in their communities, is launching their voting phase today to gain recognition for their incredibly inspiring honorees. This is the program's 7th year, with each of the below 10 women being chosen out of thousands of nominations - they each get $10K for their organizations and whoever gets the most votes (starting today through the 21st) from the public gets an additional $25K and is named the Women of Worth National Honoree.

When Dr. Ida Johnson moved to Iowa 38 years ago as a newly divorced mother, leaving behind an abusive ex-husband in search of a better life for her five children, she found a home in a low-income, inner city neighborhood and employment in a kitchen at St. Ambrose University. Fighting to keep her family safe, intact and fed, Ida began bringing neighborhood children into her home for games and learning activities.

Now, nearly 40 years later, with the mission of helping others help themselves while building self-worth, United Neighbors has helped to take children off the streets and into a safe place, with an after-school program bringing in tutors to assist with homework and teach computer skills. Kids in the program receive a home-cooked meal and participate in creative activities, then are safely driven home each evening. Additional programs include first-time homebuyer education, down payment assistance, a minimum code home repair program in partnership with the City of Davenport and a multicultural health initiative to provide health education seminars to nearly 400 underserved people in the area each year.

Sarah Cronk grew up watching her older brother, Charlie, struggle to make friends due to his disability and noticed that it wasn't until the popular swim team captain invited Charlie to sit at his lunch table that things began to turn around. He encouraged Charlie to join the team and Sarah watched her brother's confidence soar.

In 2008, Sarah created and coached the nation's first inclusive cheerleading squad at her high school. A year later, she established her nonprofit, The Sparkle Effect (TSE), a student-run program that empowers teens nationwide to include students with disabilities in school-based cheerleading and dance programs.

More than five million students with disabilities attend public schools in the United States, yet most school sports and activities are not designed to accommodate these students. As a result, students with disabilities are left sidelined - excluded from high school sports and the social opportunities they offer. Students participating on TSE teams are breaking down social barriers, replacing insecurity with confidence and joy, and demonstrating that when we open our minds and our hearts to people of all abilities, everyone benefits. Within the past year, TSE has grown from 25 to over 70 teams nationwide, directly including more than 1,200 students.

 

WOMEN OF WORTH PROGRAM

The Women of Worth initiative, now in its seventh year, is inspired by L'Oréal Paris' iconic brand philosophy, "Because You're Worth It." Since its inception, the program has recognized 70 women for their outstanding devotion to their causes, with honorees embodying the spirit of the L'Oréal Paris brand through their commitment to their communities, their selflessness and their drive to make a difference in the world.

 

Now in its seventh year, the Women of Worth program has recognized 70 incredible women to date for their amazing accomplishments, and this year's ten honorees continue to inspire through their dedication to philanthropy and their passion for improving the world. From young women who pioneered programs while still in high school to women who have been changing lives for decades, 2012's Women of Worth honorees are making an extraordinary difference in their communities.

RECOGNITION

Each of the incredible honorees has received $10,000 for her charitable cause and will be recognized at an awards ceremony and dinner hosted by L'Oréal Paris and Hearst Magazines on December 6th in New York City. At the event, one National Honoree, chosen via a public online vote, will be announced, and she will receive an additional $25,000 for her charity.

 

VOTING

Public online voting for the Women of Worth National Honoree is open from today through November 21st on WomenofWorth.com. Visitors to the site can vote once per day for their favorite Woman of Worth, and the honoree with the most votes will be named National Honoree.

 

HONOREES

Setting the bar for extraordinary philanthropic efforts, this year's honorees support a wealth of important causes, from healthcare to education and everything in between.

 

·         Amy Paterson - Portland, OR; Co-founder of My Little Waiting Room, an organization that promotes the health and well-being of families by bringing drop-in child care to hospitals so that children can thrive as families heal.

·         Catherine Meek - Los Angeles, CA; Executive Director of School on Wheels, an organization that enhances educational opportunities for homeless children by providing homeless students with one-on-one volunteer tutors.

·         Dr. Ida Johnson - Davenport, IA; Founder of United Neighbors, Inc., an organization that helps others help themselves while building self-worth, and includes youth, education, housing, financial literacy and multicultural healthcare programs.

·         Kate Bialo - Larchmont, NY; Founder and Executive Director of Furniture Sharehouse, an organization that empowers underprivileged families by providing basic furniture to turn their house into a home.

·         Lorraine Kerwood - Eugene, OR; Founder of NextStep, an organization that focuses on people, the planet and education by providing community members with disabilities the tools they need to succeed academically and in the workplace.

·         Olivia Stinson - Charlotte, NC; Founder of Pen Pals Book Club and Support Group, an organization that strives to promote literacy and provide cultural and social activities for children with incarcerated parents.

·         Risa Vetri Ferman - Abington, PA; Co-founder of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center, a non-profit that gives child abuse victims a voice and helps them heal.

·         Sandy Puc' - Littleton, CO; Co-founder of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, an organization that provides the gift of remembrance photography for parents suffering the loss of a baby. 

·         Sarah Cronk - Bettendorf, IA; Founder of The Sparkle Effect, a student-run program that empowers teens nationwide to include students with disabilities in school-based cheerleading and dance programs.

·         Sue Runsvold - San Jose, CA; Founder of TurningWheels for Kids, an organization that provides a brand new bike to every low-income, at-risk child who needs or wants one.
12 Nov 2012

Scott County Public Safety Authority

By Nicholas Depew
12 Nov 2012

Burnout, Plaguing Physicians, New Study Shows

By Ginny Grimsley
Noted Doctor Warns of Threat to Patients; Offers Tips

More than 45 percent of physicians are experiencing at least one symptom of burnout, according to the first national study on the topic, and that concerns noted physician and professor of medicine emeritus Dr. Paul Griner, (www.DrPaulGriner.com), author of "The Power of Patient Stories: Learning Moments in Medicine." 

"Burnout can lead to misdiagnoses," Griner says. "As I emphasize in my book, it's vital to spend time talking to and listening to patients - thorough patient histories and observation and a good physical exam are often the difference between an accurate diagnosis and a wasted battery of unnecessary diagnostic tests."

Burnout can be characterized by, detachment, diminishing empathy and emotional exhaustion - all of which can impede a physician's ability to thoroughly and accurately assess patients, Griner says.

The Archives of Internal Medicine study, published in August, surveyed 7,288 physicians, and assessed them using the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Nearly half, 46 percent, reported at least one symptom of burnout. Specialties that were most at-risk were family medicine, general internal medicine and emergency medicine -- those that benefit most from taking time to listen to patients because they are often the first point of patient contact, Griner says.

He notes that strategies to address this problem must recognize that burnout begins early in one's medical career, during medical school and throughout residency training.

With 59 years in medicine, as a practicing hematologist and internist, professor of medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and senior lecturer at Harvard Medical School, Griner offers these suggestions for overwhelmed physicians:

• First, take care of yourself. It sounds simple, but it's something doctors repeat so often to patients, they've often ceased hearing the words: Eat well, get adequate rest and exercise regularly. Taking care of yourself physically is fundamental for coping with stress and the negative emotions, such as frustration and anger, that can come with working in any field.

• Take time to nurture relationships. Having meaningful relationships with colleagues and co-workers can make your work more gratifying. Take some time - even a few minutes a day - to get to know them. They can provide a sounding board, a sympathetic ear, or ideas for solving problems. And you can do the same for them. Devote more time (at meetings and lunch) to the rewarding aspects of medicine, sharing patient stories and humorous anecdotes, and less time on frustrations.

• Actively listen to your patients and pay attention to what's going on in their lives. It will not only help you give them better care, you'll find it makes your work more interesting and satisfying.

• Do what's necessary to achieve a work-life balance. If you are not spending relaxed time with your loved ones, having some fun outside of work, or enjoying interpersonal relationships, you are at a greater risk for burnout. Just as taking care of yourself physically is vital, so is taking care of yourself emotionally. If necessary, identify a colleague who seems to have achieved this balance and spend some time with him or her.

• Participate actively in health reforms that will return a greater level of control to physicians and their patients. These include payment for value and greater patient participation in decision-making about care. Reorganizing primary care practices to allow more time for complex patients and recognition by insurers that excessive hassle is bad for patients and physician are also vital. These changes should lead to more satisfied patients and physicians and less burnout.

Preventing burnout needs to start early, Griner says. Teachers must give medical students and residents the tools to cope with and reduce the stresses that cause it.

"This is not the first survey that's found a heightened level of burnout among physicians. We know it's a problem," Griner says.

"Doctors need to be in tune with their patients, asking, listening and connecting the dots. They can't do that effectively if they're burned out."

About Paul Griner, M.D.

Hematologist/internist Paul Griner has had a 59-year career in medicine. He is a professor of medicine emeritus at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and was a consultant at the Massachusetts General Hospital, senior lecturer at Harvard Medical School, and consultant to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in Cambridge, Mass. He has written or co-written 130 journal articles, book chapters, and books on clinical medicine, medical education, and health policy. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences and was president of a number of national medical organizations, including the American College of Physicians.

12 Nov 2012

THANKSGIVING DINNER'S PRICE TAG REMAINS STEADY

By Rick Martin

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Nov. 7, 2012 - While the overall price tag of the traditional Thanksgiving dinner remains steady, with only a 1 percent increase from last year's total meal cost; prices are beginning to creep upward for poultry and meat. As the price of grain for feed continues to inch upward after a drought-stricken harvest, livestock farmers are beginning to make adjustments for the increased costs of feeding those animals.

But those food price hikes shouldn't affect this year's annual fall feast. According to the recent American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Thanksgiving Dinner Price Survey, a family of 10 can enjoy the typical Thanksgiving meal that features a 16-pound turkey, bread stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and the trimmings for $49.48.

"The Thanksgiving feast remains a real bargain for American families.  The bounty of our flocks and fields can still be put on the table for less than $5 per person," said Dave Miller, director of research and commodity services for the Iowa Farm Bureau.  "Even in the face of weather challenges that cut production of corn and soybeans on many Iowa farms by 30 percent or more, the Thanksgiving meal this year has risen in cost by less than 1 percent."

Turkey accounted for most of the increase in the cost of the dinner. The price for a 16-pound turkey crept up by 66 cents to $22.23, compared to $21.57 last year. The increase is a result of higher consumer demand for turkey, lowered turkey production and higher feed prices.

"The modest increase in the price of this year's Thanksgiving turkey demonstrates the resilience of American turkey producers in the face of drought and higher feed costs," said Miller. "During each of the first 8 months of 2012, U.S. turkey producers increased production and prices were slightly lower than a year ago, but higher prices for feed due to the record-setting drought of 2012 has led them to curtail

production by about 4 percent during October, resulting in the slight increase in price that may be seen as Thanksgiving approaches this year. But we are on the cusp of change regarding seeing higher prices for meat."

This year, there were small increases for the costs of dinner rolls and items used to make the meals. The survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of celery and carrots, pumpkin pie with whipped topping and beverages of coffee and milk, in quantities efficient to serve 10 people.

More than 150 volunteer shoppers from 35 states, representing every region in the nation, participated in the annual AFBF Thanksgiving price shopping survey.  The cost of the dinner has steadily climbed in recent years: 2008: $44.61, 2009: $42.91, 2010: $43.47, 2011: $49.20 and 2012: $49.48.

-30-

About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

12 Nov 2012

Evening Art History Series "History of Portraiture" Kicks Off Thursday

By Rick Martin

Davenport, IA (November 2012) Join PhD Margaret Morse, Assistant Professor of Art History at Augustana College, at the Figge Art Museum this Thursday, November 8 at 7pm for the art talk "The Renaissance Portrait". This talk kicks off the first of a three part art history series about the history of portraiture. The Moline High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Zackary Morton, will also perform at 6pm in the museum lobby.

The second lecture in the art history series will take place on Thursday, November 15 at 7pm where recent Augustana graduate Veronica Smith will present about "Two Baroque Portraits: The Seventeenth Century Woman." The series will wrap up on Thursday, November 29 at 7pm with a talk about "The Good, the Bad and the Mundane: Western Portraiture in the Late Twentieth-Century" featuring Alycia Reed, PhD Candidate at the University of Iowa.

Each talk will explore the ideas and approaches of the artists from the Baroque period to present day. This lecture series is offered in conjunction with the Figge's exhibitions Portrait of Maquoketa: The Dimensional View and Picturing Identity: The Allure of Portraiture.  All talks are free with membership or paid admission.

 

About the Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is located on the riverfront in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 12-5 p.m.  Thursdays the museum is open until 9pm. Admission to the museum and tour is $7. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit our website, www.figgeartmuseum.org.

-end-
12 Nov 2012

Quad City Area "99% Voters," Activists to Rally for Jobs, Not Cuts

By Rick Martin

[Moline, Ill] - This Election Day, "99% voters" here played a key role in persuading other Americans to reject the "You're On Your Own" Republican philosophy that guts vitals services and provides tax breaks to the wealthy -- and to instead vote to rebuild the middle class, invest in good jobs and protect vital services like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

In an effort to reach across the table, voters and activists from Action Now Illinois will join together to call on Rep. Bobby Schilling to make the right choices for American families and the economy when he returns to Washington for the Lame Duck session of Congress. They will visit him at his congressional office on Thursday, November 8, 2012.

"What is clear after the election is that constituents have clearly rejected the trickle-down economics theory and the deep budget cuts to pay for tax cuts for the rich," says Cynthia Rivers, a resident of IL 13. "The best way to reduce the deficit is to put people back to work and we hope that Bobby Schilling will now represent us -the 99% when he returns to Washington."

Congress faces serious choices before the end of the year. Will it make disastrous cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, childcare, special education and other vital public services that our communities rely on or will it take an approach that puts job creation first?

At the rally, the 99 percent voters and Action Now activists will carry a large poster calling on Rep. Bobby Schilling to commit to the principle that jobs should come before cuts - the poster will bear a Lame Duck Pledge they want Schilling to sign.

WHO: Quad City area "99% Voters" and activists from Action Now Illinois

WHAT: Rally to Call on Rep. Bobby Schilling to Reflect Will of Voters, Support "Jobs, Not Cuts" in Lame Duck Congress

WHEN: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2012

WHERE: Congressman Schilling's Office, 3000 41st Street, Moline, Illinois

VISUALS: A Lame Duck Pledge that 99% Voters want Rep. Schilling to sign

 

###

12 Nov 2012

Scholarships available for area students

By Natalie Anderson
BETTENDORF, Iowa - The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend will award an estimated $290,000 in scholarship aid to local students for fall 2013. Applications are now being accepted. The application process has been simplified since the launch of the Foundation's online scholarship application system.

"Students are under pressure to pay for the rising costs of a college education. Applying for and reviewing scholarships can be seen as a daunting task," said Nicole Freise, Program Associate at the Community Foundation. "The implementation of the new online system allows students to review criteria for each scholarship and apply with the click of a mouse."

Through the new system, student applications will be submitted directly to the Community Foundation. The system will also assist students in determining eligibility and ensuring their applications are complete prior to submitting.

The Community Foundation administers approximately 30 scholarship funds, all of which have been established by caring donors who are passionate about promoting and supporting higher education. These individuals, and organizations, wish to provide opportunities and assistance to students who want to further their education. In 2012, the Community Foundation donors
assisted more than 225 area students in realizing and attaining their educational goals. Over the past 10 years, the Community Foundation has provided more than $2.8 million in scholarship aid to local students.

Encourage a student you know to review the scholarship opportunities available through the Community Foundation. Visit www.cfgrb.org/scholarshiplisting to review and apply for scholarships. To learn more about applying and for additional questions, contact Nicole Freise at 563-326-2840 or email nicolefreise@cfgrb.org.

###
12 Nov 2012

Red Kettle Kick Off Event Friday 6:30pm-NorthPark Mall

By Holly Nomura
2012 Red Kettle Campaign Kick?Off

Friday, November 9, 2012, 6:30pm


NorthPark
12 Nov 2012

Santa's Arrival Kicks Off the Holiday Season at NorthPark and SouthPark Malls

By Rick Martin
Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012

NorthPark - 11:00 AM, Santa's Winter Wonderland is in Von Maur Court; Parking is suggested at the Mall Entrance between
JC Penney and Von Maur.

SouthPark - 4:00 PM; Santa's Winter Wonderland is in DEB Court next to Bath & Body Works. Parking is suggested at the
Mall Entrance between JC Penney and Von Maur.

###
12 Nov 2012

3 Things All Women Should Know About Their Bodies

By Ginny Grimsley
Between Untested Therapies & Intrusive Politics,
RN Says Individuals Must Take Responsibility for Their Health

There's plenty of information about women's physical and health-care needs. Unfortunately, some of it is incomplete, or based on opinion and conjecture, or it's just plain bad information, says registered nurse Iyalode Edwards.

"Women tend to be more vigilant about their bodies than men, and there is a huge marketplace of literature, products, studies, politics and other opinions on women's health," says Edwards, author of "Multiple Orgasms Made Simple: 'How to Do It' Sex Secrets All Women Should Know!" (www.multipleOmadesimple.com).

"Not all of it makes sense."

It's only natural that women are more focused on their bodies than men because women have the more complex anatomy, she says. But old ideas from a society based in patriarchy, along with today's health market issues, can create confusion. Edwards, who has more than 35 years experience as a registered nurse, clarifies three points about which she sees the most misunderstanding among her patients:

• Untested therapies: Several years ago hormone replacement therapy was all the rage, used almost as a cure-all for post-menopausal women suffering a variety of symptoms. After a few decades, however, a large percentage of those women started suffering ovarian and breast cancer, in addition to other complications. More recently, vaccines for the human papillomavirus have been touted to girls and young women as the new preventative measure against cervical cancer. But thousands of girls have experienced a wide range of side effects, including seizures, strokes, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, headaches, vomiting, weakness, joint pain, auto-immune problems, chest pains, hair loss, appetite loss, personality changes, insomnia, tremors and menstrual cycle changes. Be wary of new cure-alls. Adverse effects are sometimes not revealed until they've been in use for a significant amount of time.

• Health through pleasure: A 2011 survey by Jane Magazine found that, while more than 87 percent of men aged 18 to 26 years old experienced orgasm "most or all of the time" during sex, only 46.8 percent of women could say the same thing. Not only could that percentage be much higher for women, it could be more meaningful, too. "The truth is, if you have all your sex organs intact and can achieve the first level of climax, then you can achieve it multiple times during the same encounter," Edwards says. "You just need information, and there has been too much misinformation disseminated." Sexual satisfaction comes with several health benefits, including improved cardiovascular functioning, sounder sleep and a deeper bond with a partner.

• The politics of women's health: As imperative as it is to know more and listen closely to one's body, it is also important to stay connected to current events since women's health care has become a political football, she says. Comments from multiple elected officials seem to be narrowing the definition of rape, and there are many who support limiting women's care in insurance plans, to name a few public debates. "I want women to be more aware of their bodies," Edwards says. "Unfortunately, the rhetoric of many politicians seems to be pointing backward regarding our health."

About Iyalode Edwards, R.N.

Iyalode Edwards is the author of "Multiple Orgasms Made Simple," a straightforward, step-by-step how-to guide that includes physiological explanations for sensations women experience. Edwards is a registered nurse with more than 35 years of experience. She informally interviewed a number of women and physicians as part of her research.

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